By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown– June 18, 2025: The Centre on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO) has lauded Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, for his strong commitment to eradicating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
During a high-level engagement at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown, CenHTRO’s Country Director, Mr. Umaru Fofanah, praised the Judiciary for its ongoing reforms and sustained efforts in enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward human trafficking. “Thank you for the reforms,” Fofanah said, acknowledging the Chief Justice’s leadership in judicial transformation.
CenHTRO, which partners with the United States Department of State, works across the region to monitor and combat trafficking in persons. Claire Bolton, Director of Programs at the University of Georgia in the United States, also participated in the meeting virtually, underscoring the global support for Sierra Leone’s anti-trafficking initiatives.
Highlighting the organisation’s contributions, Fofanah announced the donation of a newly developed training manual tailored to address human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The manual is expected to equip the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (JLTI) in training Master Trainers—ensuring that law enforcement, the police, and justice sector actors receive consistent and sustainable instruction in the fight against trafficking.
“We are currently conducting a needs assessment to evaluate the strength of Sierra Leone’s law enforcement institutions,” Fofanah added, noting that the findings will guide future support to the Judiciary, Law Officers’ Department, and Sierra Leone Police.
In response, Chief Justice Kamanda welcomed the continued collaboration and emphasized his commitment to capacity building across the Judiciary. He noted that the institution now has several Judges trained as Master Trainers and reaffirmed the importance of regular updates on legislation and legal procedures.
“Our focus is to incorporate human rights and trafficking issues into training modules, and encourage judicial exchanges with counterparts in other jurisdictions,” said the Chief Justice, who also encouraged greater support for the JLTI.
Present at the meeting were Honourable Justices Alusine Sesay (JSC), Reginald Fynn (JA), who also serves as JLTI Vice Chair, and Adrian Fisher (J), a jurist with specialized training in anti-trafficking and migrant smuggling.
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